The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-11-09
MAJOR E. A. BURKE.
A Protest Against Efforts to Divide the
Democratic Party.

A Protest Against Efforts to Divide the
Democratic Party.
Mr.. Ogden introduced as the next speaker
Major e. A. Burke. The Major, in opening
his address, said that be was grateful to the
citizens not only for the invitation to render
an account Of dis stewardship, but also to
speak to then of the resources Of Bossier
parish.
1t has neen from no indisposition of his
that he has been prevented from appearing
before the Democrats Of this parish. A few
years ago he came on an industrial mission
with the hope Of aiding i'll aligning the min
eral bearing parishes of Louisiana with the
great industrial movement in the South
which Is now exciting the interest of the
world. He found that there ID vast wealth
for the people of this State in many Of tue
parishes OF North Louisiana. sufficient to
justify the erection of furnaces, which should
make their people as rich as the people OF
Alabama. lam grastied to see that a rail
road is being constructed through this
parish, By which the question of Transports
ton and communicate will soon be solved.
The fuel question is being settled, by which
| the forests contiguous to the minerals can be
| utilized by the adoption of the new processes
| OF charcoal manufacture. He had hoped
soon to join with She people in some practical
methods for the developinent Of the mineral
industries OF the parish, but for months past
| a campaign has been carried on in this State
which announces the doctrine that.it not q
| crime, it is ut least no credit to q public man
| to engage in efforts to promote the industrial
| resources of the State.
| Gov. McIEnery has built the levees and la
| bored to promote the material development
OF Louisiana, and foster and encourage the
agricultural and educational Interests; of the
State. No recognition OF these services can be
extorted from the latter-day 'reformers.',
Although | hold my, commission for nine
| years at the hands of the Democrats OF this
State, continued Major Burke, "and by the
| largest Democratic majority ever east in the
final redemption Of our people in 1878, end
| after holding Gov. Nichols commission in
| 1877 and discharging my duties with benefit
and credit to him and to the State, when
passed Red river yeste: day into. Bossier |
met q CITIZEN who comes to me with honesty
in his face asking, LIS it true you We're
A RADICAL FROM TExAs?'
and this after fifteen years. service in the
ranks of my party, whose nominee | Was in
1872, 1874 and 1873. The commission of
Gov. Nichols, in the most critical period in
the State s history, should have been enough
the 'reforniers.' Such charges have become
a part of the political oratory of the parish
Of Orleans. | suppose that is one of the
means with which they propose to carry out
| that SO-cSligl unity and lafmCt,y referred to
by their candidate for Governor. The
record Of my family in Texas dates from
1920, and MY father is buried within thirty
miles of where | stand. | entered the Con-
feIerate army q private soldier. q hoy OF
nineteen; served without thirty davs alb
sence: discharged ms duty to the satisfaction
without favor or iI1t!uence. / have aIwayt
| voted the Democratic ticket, and never had
| the slightest connection with the Radical
party in Texas or elsewhere It would seem
| that the campaign of SANDER and viliiica.
| ton inaugurated agslnss Gov. McEnerv is to
| be extended to all Of his supporters
The character of the campaign of the re-
| formers was next explained. When McRnery,t
! name wes rtresented II was presented with
other DISTINGUISHED sons of Louisiana. His
| friends said: 1--WE believe that he will main.
| tain the standard OF Democracy and white
supremacy il it is entrusted in his hands We
make 10 wdr on Gen. Nichols We respect
and honor him for his services TO the Con.
| federacy." We that stood side by side in that
| great struggle of 1876 look back upon 20
! litIcal army such as had never been assembled
before. The army of 1876 was compoFed Of
| all the people who were resolved to rescue
| the State from 6poliatiOn and miSrllle Il
was officered by the noblest sons of Louis
| lana, organized and equipped and resoluse OIL
purpose. Gen. Nichols was placed at the
! head OF tins army. winch he had not raised,
SUI ca Wy ssa ~ seSsia ~ ~
ia INT nf T. m oi VIZ.
bess men q le osase. "A AlsnoIssi ne deserve
HG siio'.lo lGl M * y!
iss, ~ NY " III, sa
nv. fn I'm ~ Goverp